Cowboys rookie pass rusher: ‘I don’t feel like I’ve reached my full potential’
When you ask Cowboys fans about their excitement from the draft haul they came away with last month, you’ll probably hear a lot about Caleb Downs — and rightfully so. You might hear Malachi Lawrence’s name, you might not. But if one thing is for sure, the Cowboys feel just as confident in their second first-round pick as they do in the star of the draft class.
Lawrence, a four-year player at Central Florida (UCF), was selected with the No. 23 overall pick to boost a pass rush unit that was among the league’s worst in sacks last season. As he participated in rookie minicamp last weekend, the evolution of his pass rush was immediately put to work.
“It’s been fun getting to learn a new defense, a new scheme kind of,” Lawrence said. “I’m more in the outside linebacker position than defensive end like I was at UCF in the 4-2-5 [scheme]. So, just getting those and learning the techniques, really. It’s been really technique-based with coach.”
Cowboys pass rush specialist BT Jordan spent a lot of one-on-one time with Lawrence during rookie minicamp helping him not only refine his pass rush skills but also continue his improvement in the run game.
“I’m just taking my game and evolving it with Coach BT Jordan,” he said. “He was at the Broncos last year, and I believe they broke the sack record last year for the NFL. Knowing I get to work with him, it’s going to be good. ... He’s very technical. When it comes to my steps, he doesn’t want me false-stepping. [I’m] working on false-stepping and working on get-off.”
Compared to his time at UCF, Lawrence will be in more of a stand-up rushing role rather than having his hand in the dirt. It’s not a major change, but the refinement on the little aspects of his technique will be more important from his new starting position.
“It’s a more stand-up role, as of now with what we’re doing,” he said. “Just [working on] the techniques, like run techniques of shrugs, arm-overs, and working on staying aligned, so I have the same angle in run that I do in pass.”
“Following the little things. When coach is teaching a certain technique, actually doing that technique, even if it’s at a walk-through tempo. Just trying to perfect and refine those things that you got to work on to be a better player.”
While Lawrence does remain in the learning phase of his rookie year offseason, he knows there’s untapped promise left in his development. Whether it’s as a rotational pass rusher or as a starting outside linebacker, he sees a lot left between where he is now and his ceiling.
“A whole bunch,” Lawrence said. “I don’t feel like I’ve reached my full potential.”
This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 1:38 PM.
